Three Local Pilots Receive Wright Brothers Master Pilot Awards At June Meeting of EAA Chapter 44
EAA Chapter 44 in Brockport normally holds its June meeting as an annual fly-in picnic dinner and general hangar/ramp flying event. This year, three long-time chapter members were presented with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
Presented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizes pilots who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise by maintaining safe flight operations for 50 or more years. It highlights pilots who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to flight, often acting as mentors or pillars of their local aviation communities, and is the most prestigious honor the FAA issues to U.S. civilian aviators. Approximately 10,000 aviators have received this national award in the 23 years since its creation.
All three recipients, Dave Hurd, Norm Isler, and Jim Martin, are long-time members of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 44, located at Brockport’s Ledgedale Airpark. Between the three of them, they hold ratings including Private and Commercial Single-Engine Land and Sea aircraft, Glider, Rotorcraft – Gyroplane, and Airline Transport Pilot. From Drones to Jets, they demonstrate a wide range of aircraft types. All three also have advanced ground instructor or flight instructor ratings and use them regularly to mentor new pilots and provide safety training for current pilots.
When asked about the significance of the award, EAA Chapter 44 President Mark Scheda noted: “Every flight of the thousands made by these aviators requires a level of knowledge and decision-making discipline unmatched by most other pursuits. That they have all done so safely for fifty years is a major accomplishment. Perhaps more importantly, all three have generously shared their love of aviation with countless others. They’ve taken hundreds of young people for their first airplane ride, provided aviation instruction both in-flight and on the ground, led aviation organizations, mentored young aviators, and donated a lifetime’s accumulation of knowledge to help others achieve their aviation goals. These three truly embody the spirit of the Wright brothers and EAA. They have changed the world through aviation.”
Two members of the FAA’s Rochester Flight Standards District Office came to present the awards, which they said was one of the best parts of their job. “We would rather come to present an award than conduct an investigation!” They also said that they don’t get to present awards often, and presenting two at the same time is most unusual. This was the first time either of them had heard of three awards being presented at the same time within a single organization. EAA 44 is proud to set another standard.
EAA Chapter 44 is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization of pilots, aircraft builders, and aviation enthusiasts in the Western New York region dedicated to promoting aviation and encouraging participation in aviation-related activities. These include aircraft design, construction, and restoration; education; advocacy; and youth outreach programs. The organization promotes flying with high safety standards in an environment that supports freedom, family, and personal fulfillment. They meet on the third Tuesday of the month (exception this July, when they will meet on July 14) at The EAA 44 Sport Aviation Center, 44 Eisenhower Drive in Brockport (north side of Brockport Airport). Meetings are open to the public. All are invited to visit and see if the group is a good fit for their aviation interests. For more information, visit chapters.eaa.org/eaa44.
Provided information. Photo: Norm Isler, Dave Hurd, and Jim Martin (l-r) were presented with Wright Brothers Master Pilot Awards in recognition of 50 years of aviation safety. Photo by Mark Scheda.
